Directors of Inside Out Occupational Therapy Group, Kathleen Langford and Lisa Cooper are proud to be presenting at the “Breaking Down Barriers Through Occupation“, Occupational Therapy Australia Conference, in Fremantle in May this year.

The presentation is entitled “Occupational Dysfunction in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Bridging the Gap” with an abstract provided below. 

Occupational Dysfunction in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Bridging the Gap

Children’s occupations are broadly grouped into their student, leisure and self-care roles.  Successful functioning within these roles relies on the integration of numerous skills and abilities.  Occupational dysfunction is often overlooked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).  Currently, Occupational Therapists are employed in Specialised and Acute services, with one position in an outpatient clinic.  A recent audit of children undergoing assessment at the statewide Complex ADHD Service found a strong correlation with complex ADHD and significant occupational performance impairment.

A high proportion of children with significant mental health problems also have difficulties with attention and concentration, motor coordination, sensory processing and self-regulation.  Developmental difficulties are associated with immature social-cognitive skills, social relationship problems and difficulties in emotion and behaviour regulation.  As developmental and mental health difficulties often present similarly, differential diagnosis is essential.  Occupational Therapists provide a unique role in bridging the gap between physical and emotional health.

For information on this an many other conference events including registration information, please refer to the links provided in this events extract.

{WL, 07/04/2014}